Connerly averts showdown among regents
Connerly averts showdown among regents
By Michael Howerton
Daily Bruin Staff
Averting a showdown, Regent Ward Connerly called off an emergency performance review of University of California President Richard Atkinson set for today, after Atkinson reaffirmed the board's power to set policy.
Atkinson's decision to eliminate affirmative action criteria in university admissions until the entering class of fall 1998 - despite the regents' expressed desire to implement the new policies at the beginning of 1997 - unleashed waves of discontent among the board. Atkinson's action was so inappropriate, according to some regents, that rumors circulated questioning the security of his job and 10 regents called a special board meeting for today to review his performance.
On Monday, Atkinson issued an apology for acting unilaterally in setting the timetable and offered the compromise of implementing the new policies for the incoming class of Spring 1998. Late in the day, he issued another letter reaffirming his willingness to work with the regents to ease the tensions that his decision has caused.
In the letter to Gov. Pete Wilson, Atkinson said, "I am committed to the implementation of the regents' resolution in accordance with the decision of the board."
Connerly's official assistant, Ignatius Anyanwu said that since the spring 1998 implementation date wasn't part of Atkinson's final letter, Connerly interpreted that the president had conceded to the regents' proposed date.
Connerly and his supporters saw this as a full renunciation of his position and assurance that Atkinson would follow the guidelines set by the board.
"Atkinson has unequivocally committed himself to the regents' implementation," Anyanwu said. "Mr. Connerly changed his mind (about holding the meeting) since it is abundantly clear that Atkinson will follow the implementation as said by the Board of Regents."
However, a spokesman for Atkinson said that this was a misinterpretation, and the letter sent to Wilson was only a reiteration of Atkinson's intention to implement the policy and work with the regents - not a capitulation of his position.
"We are not violating the policy. There is no change (in Atkinson's decision). It will be Spring Quarter 1998 (for undergraduate admissions)," said spokesman Mike Lassiter.Comments to webmaster@db.asucla.ucla.edu
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